The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Clutch fork question

I was wondering if anyone on this board knew if there are different size "pivot balls" that the clutch fork rides on? I installed mine tonite and it seems awful sloppy, like it sits ok, then when the pivot starts it "falls off". When this occurs just the tips of the fork are in contact with the throwout bearing. I think I have the wrong fork installed, and haven't yet hooked up the clutch push rod. It is the original bellhousing, not sure on the fork though! This is on a 65 chevy truck!

Cheers!

you should have a spring clip thing in the fork socket that snaps on the ball, but there are different style balls, maybe just "early" and "late", but one type has to be threaded in from inside, the other goes all the way thru the bell and has a hex socket outside that threads it in and out - don't remember offhand if they're different sized, but likely

Bill

Like squeeze said, the fork should snap on to the ball. I know there are different lengths, but also not sure about larger balls.

The tip of the fork is all that grabs the throw out. You also have to have the clips of the fork inside the bearing. Looks like this when put tigether...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/Avette4me/Vette/Tremec/install/08.jpg

I found my answer, thx squeeze the fork I am using is missing it's "pivot ball spring clip retainer"! That is why it is so wonky on the ball. Also to Avette4me I took your info about the possible size difference researched it and found no real specs. So being as I'm unsure about the correctness of the fork, and am missing parts on top of that, I ordered a new fork and related assembly. Was pretty cheap too 80 bucks. On a side note has anyone had experience with LMC, they were the only place I could find that had these items. If I'm not supposed 2 mention company names in this fashion I'll edit right away, just I'm from Canada and this is my first time ordering parts out of country.

Thanks as always for the speedy, and helpful replies !!

fine to mention names, we all like to know .... you could likely have also found those parts at a local store like NAPA, which is where I've gotten them in the past just by taking in the old ones to match ... Vettes pic shows the style ball that has the hex end, the other style doesn't show thru the bellhouse - I dealt with both types just a few months ago, but can't recall now if they had different size ball ends or just different threaded ends

Bill

The stuff came really fast and I've installed it now! Only real issue was the clutch push rod was way to long, I just cut it to fit and re-threaded it. Overall a really good experience.

It's been my experience that later(1955 and up) 235 and 261 clutch forks have different angle bends in them where they exit the bell housing. Laying one fork over another will show this. I've never seen any differences with any 216 clutch forks though.
I think the angle difference is in relation to the height of the TO bearing.